Jenna

JENNA

“ I …sort of…lied to you, .” Dan rubs the back of his neck behind his stiff uniform collar. “I’m not who I said I was.”

“Yeah, I can tell.” I look around the sleek, clean bridge of the Star Fighter the British government is not supposed to have.

“There’s more…”

“Why does that not surprise me?” I respond.

Azul releases a blood curdling growl and everyone on the bridge looks instantly terrified.

I’m pleased I decided to keep him around.

“I’m the son of the Prime Minister,” Dan says casually.

I fold my arms. “So, when you recognized that twat with the stupid name…?”

“I had to let you deal with it, in case he tried to…use me.”

“So, instead, I got suspended without pay, and you managed to keep your identity secret like some low rent twenty-first century fake superhero?”

Azul releases another growl and Dan’s eyes widen.

“I’m so sorry, . My mother has been concerned about how things are actually working within the S.C. Britannia for some time. I told her I’d investigate…she didn’t want me to, but I insisted.”

“Go you,” I mutter. Azul’s tail taps on the shiny surface of the bridge floor. “Did you find anything interesting? You do know I was seconded to spy on the Starlight Lottery by your mother’s government, don’t you?”

“I do, which is why I came looking for you. This is my real job, you see.”

“My mate did not require your assistance,” Azul rumbles.

“You sort of did,” Dan says with irritating correctness.

Azul’s hood flares.

“What my mate , means”—I put my hand on Azul’s hard, muscular chest—“is what the actual fuck is going on, Dan?”

“There’s been rumors for some time, within government, that there are elements who only want to take and that they are undermining our rule of law,” Dan says.

“As it has ever been.” I sigh. “And it took you a few months working the graveyard shift in security for everyone to see sense?”

“No,” Dan admits, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “It took meeting you, .” He risks a glance at Azul. “You’re smart, capable, your scores on all your tests are off the scale, and yet you’re a security officer second class. That’s just wrong.”

“Tell it to all the other women on Britannia scraping a living. How are you going to change anything? Your mother is only Prime Minister due to her birth, it’s not like the rest of the government want her in power. They just can’t do anything about it without upsetting everything our pathetic society holds dear.”

Dan winces as if I’ve kicked him in his balls. Beside me, Azul gives a triumphant snort.

“I want to tell everyone about Starlight Lottery—Brides,” I announce. “I want all the women on Britannia to know there are other options.” I look around the bridge and make eye contact with one of the two female staff. “To meet a star-crossed mate, to have another life, a better life.” I lean into Azul, and this time the noise he makes is one which warms my heart.

“I agree,” Dan says. “I mean, my mother will agree,” he adds hastily.

Azul uncoils and pulls himself up to a height of around eight feet, towering over Dan as he presses a long, lingering kiss to my lips which I’m sure raised the temperature on the bridge by several degrees.

“I presume this means you won’t be returning to Britannia ?” Dan says.

“No, I won’t.” I turn to Azul. “I want to be with you.”

Azul nuzzles into my hair, sending shockwaves through me of pure delight.

“And we will be together, little sunray, wherever you want, however you want.”

He lifts his head, and I’m caught in his dazzling gaze.

“How about we turn in Rossz and then see what else Tisel has for us?” I suggest.

“You…you want me to continue as a bounty hunter.” Azul’s brow is furrowed. “After everything which happened?”

“I healed up quick, didn’t I? Thanks to your venom,” I reply. “Anyway, I don’t want you to continue as a bounty hunter, I want us to continue as bounty hunters. You’ve made me feel alive for the first time in…forever, Azul. I don’t want to stop you doing something if you want to do it.”

“You mean it?” he asks. “You want us to work together?”

“I think we make an okay team.” I nudge him in the scales with my elbow. “Even if you did fill an entire room full of vaporized narcotics.”

“I promise not to do that again,” Azul says with a fang-filled grin.

“Are you sure you can promise?” I raise my eyebrows.

Azul cocks his head on one side, the grin widening. “Not really.”

“Good thing it’s not a deal breaker.” I raise myself up on tiptoes and press my lips to his.

Azul consumes me in a long kiss which is eventually interrupted by the sound of someone clearing his throat.

My big naga turns to Dan. “Despite the fact you lied to my mate, Dan the Human, I trust you will do what’s right,” he intones. “Other humans deserve to have what my has, and Starlight Brides can work miracles.” He looks down at me. “And if it’s what my mate wants, who am I to deny her?”

Dan, despite what is clearly the risk of being ripped apart by Azul, beams at us.

“You can count on me, . It’s about time the old guard was ousted and a new, fairer regime was put into place for Britannia . Giving people the option of joining Starlight Brides will be the first thing we can do to make it right.”

“Just…let me speak to everyone first, Dan. Frankly, the way Britannia has been run, a ship wide announcement stating you can be married off to an alien won’t go down well.”

“Ah.” Dan’s smile drops a few watts. “You could be right.”

“My mate is always right,” Azul growls. “And I should know,” he says as I’m taken in by another dizzying kiss. “Because she’s mine.”